Business managers may work in a wide variety of industries, wherever business teams unite to achieve results and grow revenue. People who are interested in pursuing business leadership positions or in managing people and operations may choose to pursue a major in business and management. This guide to online bachelor’s in business and management programs explains what to expect from the degree and how it may help you achieve your career goals.

What Is a Bachelor of Business and Management?

Someone majoring in business and management will likely learn about managing and supervising business operations and the employees who work for a business. While business administration may focus on daily technical operations for specific industries, business management covers a broad understanding of business fundamentals and more interpersonal topics, like conflict resolution and organizational leadership.

In a Bachelor of Business Management program, you might study topics like:

• Organizational communication and behavior
• Financial accounting
• Marketing
• Operations management
• Project management
• Entrepreneurship
• Human resources

Graduates with a bachelor in business management degree may pursue management roles in a variety of niches, including marketing, finance and sales. You may also want to use a business management degree to evolve as a business leader throughout your career. Some business management majors aspire to achieve top executive roles. 

Yes, there are bachelor’s in business management programs online that enable you to attend a school of your choice without having to relocate to campus. Online college classes use technology tools like a webcam for teacher lectures and Zoom for group discussions. You can attend class, watch lessons and turn in assignments from wherever you are with an internet-connected device.

Some people may prefer the convenience of online bachelor’s in business management programs because they may be able to work while they attend school. Online programs can be a good fit for both traditional college students straight out of high school, as well as adult learners, working professionals and parents with family obligations.

When you compare online bachelor’s degree in business management options, you may take note of accreditation status.

Accreditation is a process a school goes through to show it has met certain educational standards. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the goal of college accreditation is to ensure a college meets acceptable quality levels. Accreditation confirms the quality of a school’s education for prospective students and people who judge a degree from a particular school, like an employer.

You may be interested in accredited bachelor’s in business and management online programs if there’s a possibility you’ll attend a graduate program, like a master’s in business administration (MBA), in the future. Some graduate programs may require that an online bachelor’s in business and management degree comes from an accredited school.

If you have previous college experience, you may be able to transfer college credits to an online bachelor’s degree program. Acceptable college credits may come from community college classes, an associate degree or college classes you took at another four-year school.

Transfer credit requirements vary by institution. It’s important that you research programs to see what their transfer credit policies entail if you are hoping to have previous courses counted.

Online bachelor’s degree admissions will vary depending on the program. In general, you may be required to provide transcripts from your most recent school, including any college program you’ve attended. If you haven’t received an associate degree, you’ll typically need to submit proof of a high school diploma or GED equivalent and relevant transcripts.

Other potential admissions requirements include:

There may also be a fee associated with applying to an online program. Research what you need so you can save time when you apply.  

If you never took the SAT or ACT or you want to apply for a college program without having to submit your scores, there are no SAT required options for online bachelor’s in business and management degrees. These include accredited schools.

Schools that don’t have SAT requirements may look at other admissions materials, such as your most recent GPA or work experience, when considering admissions for the program.

What can you expect from a business and management major? The following are some common core and elective classes you might take while you’re in the program.

Some business management programs may allow students to take electives in particular business areas, such as IT, accounting, human resources, project management, supply chains or marketing. If you’re interested in becoming a business manager in a specific area, look for a program that allows you to specialize.

There are often few or no business degree prerequisites or requirements for an online program. Instead, look for admissions requirements like completion of high school classes, with proof of a high school transcript or GED. While you may be able to apply previous college credits as transfer credits so you can shorten your program, there typically are no college prerequisites required. 

A bachelor’s in business and management degree may lead to an enjoyable career with potential growth opportunities. The following frequently asked questions about these programs provide insights as you consider your options.

If you’re interested in working in business and want to lead and manage people and/or operations, an online business management degree may help you on your journey. Consider your career goals and the types of jobs you’re interested in pursuing. Research degree programs to see how what you’ll learn will apply to your objectives.

Last updated April 2022